How to Visit the Michigan Renaissance Fair

Baudy wenches and knights of old abound.

Just off Michigan's Dixie Highway, between Holly and Groveland, there is for six weeks each summer a shire called HollyGrove that springs to life during the weekends. The Michigan Renaissance Faire, now almost 30 years old, caters to those who want to take a short visit back to the Middle Ages. Ticket prices are less than $20 a day for adults and $10 for children, and discount prices are available if tickets are purchased in advance. The show is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekends and Labor day from mid-August to the end of September.

Things You'll Need

• Good walking shoes
• Sunscreen
• Insect repellent

Instructions

1. 

   Come early and plan to spend most of the day, as there is nearly continuous entertainment in various parts of the fair and too much good food to enjoy it all at one sitting. Wear plenty of sunscreen and shoes made for walking.

2. Pick up a map and festival guide. The map has a copy of the daily entertainment schedule, which lets you look up when the jousting match will occur and what shows are playing at the individual theaters. It also guides you to important locations, such as the nearest place to find a bottle of cold water, a tankard of ale or the privy.

3. Wander through the grounds. A slow stroll up Merchant's Walk will offer the discerning shopper everything from handmade jewelry and leather goods to maiden hats and period costuming. The storefronts also sell festival souvenirs, handy totebags to carry your purchases, perennial t-shirts and necessities like film and sunscreen.

4. Visit later in the season. Labor Day weekend often brings huge crowds, so choosing to go during one of the final two weekends of the festival may gain you smaller crowds and better weather.

5. Explore the Minotaur's Maze, the hand-crafted baubbles and the stage shows. The humor is fun and mostly clean, although you may have to learn the words to "What Do You Do With a Drunken Sailor" for some of the pub sing-alongs. Be sure to stop to enjoy the single storytellers. There's plenty of entertainment geared at younger ages too, in case you're visiting with your kids.

Tips & Warnings

• Check the fair website for special events and discount days. Discounts are offered on various weekend for museum members and zoo members, as well as red-hat ladies and many others.

• Avoid the fair the day after a heavy rain, as parking is in a field and can get very muddy immediately after a rainfall.

Resources

• Michigan Renaissance Festival